One of the computer industry's best-selling games at over five million copies sold, 1993's influential Myst receives a modern update with this "Masterpiece Edition." The first-person graphic adventure, largely credited with ushering in CD-ROM technology, features the same cryptic puzzles, eerie locales, and minimalist interface found in the original computer classic. New features include visuals rendered in 24-bit color, revamped sound effects, remastered music, and a custom "DigitalGuide" help system. Those new to the Myst series can receive three levels of hints at any point during the game. The first hint type is a general clue, the second offers more specific advice about what needs to be accomplished in order to advance, and the third details the solution.

Myst. You either love it or you hate it. It has the unique distinction of not only being the best-selling computer game of all time but also both the best-loved and the most-loathed. No matter what camp you fall into, one thing is for certain: no other game has gotten more people hooked on adventure gaming than Myst.

Seeking to capitalize on the previous success of Myst now that it's fallen off the bestseller charts, Mindscape has released an updated version called Myst Masterpiece. The enhanced version is the same game with the same puzzles, but the graphics are now 24-bit, the music has been remastered and new sound effects have been added. In addition, there is a new online hint system - if you get stuck, you simply click on the bottom of the screen. Three levels of hints are available, from gentle nudge to outright spoiler. I know I would have welcomed a feature like this the first time I played! Oh, and I almost forgot, the swellest new addition is a map of each world. I always get disoriented very easily in slide-show style games, and the maps are great!

I was surprised at the level of story there was in Myst. All of the loathers have been getting to me, I guess, because I remembered it as a series of puzzles that lead to a conclusion, but it actually has a pretty strong fantasy plot. Replaying it brought back a lot of fond gaming memories. I actually remembered quite a bit with regard to the puzzle solutions (I guess because I strained my brain so hard the first time around that it all got hardwired), and so I found it not so fun the second time through (but it went fast!). Thus, I would recommend buying this new version only if you haven't played Myst before or if you played it years ago in Win 3.1 and now want to try it again on your more up-to-date system. However, if either of these two are the case - go for it!